New Emails May Show Why Duke Energy's New CEO Resigned After Hours On The Job

sacherokee via YouTubeThe Charlotte Business Journal's John Downey reports on emails suggesting the CEO of America's largest power utility lasted merely hours on the job because he was known for disrespecting female employees.

Bill Johnson, the former CEO of Ohio-based Progress Energy, ended up resigning on the day he nominally became head of Duke Energy after the two companies' merger was approved in July.

E-mails from current Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers to members of the company's board of directors in March and May say two female executives "left in part because they had 'disheartening conversations with their new bosses from Progress' and 'sensed they could not succeed in the new company,' " Downey writes.

The emails were part of court documents submitted in the current regulatory review of the merger.

Rogers reiterated the point in another email, Downey writes.

"Finally both [female executives] left because they received good offers. But both expressed deep concerns about whether they would be valued in the new organization."

At the time of his resignation, we noted that Johnson would receive $44 million in severance pay despite his short-lived term.